DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 3,
2011 – Ford is unveiling its vision for a future high-performance
Fiesta ST at the Los Angeles Auto Show this month. The Ford Fiesta
ST Concept signals the next step in Ford Motor Company’s global
performance vehicle strategy and hints at how a future Fiesta ST
model might look when it joins the Focus ST in the global small car
portfolio.

A global Fiesta ST would extend the proud, 35-year Fiesta history of
delivering high- performance thrills to small car customers. Iconic
past models include the European Fiesta XR2 and XR2i, Fiesta RS1800
and RS Turbo, and the more recent first-generation Fiesta ST. The
five-door Fiesta ST Concept shows the promise for a globally
available performance model.

Bold and distinctive, the five-door Fiesta ST Concept embodies the
spirit of Fiesta’s high-performance history with an infusion of
dynamic, futuristic looks and innovative technology.

“The Fiesta has a rich history of high-performance models so a new
ST performance model is a logical next step in our performance
vehicle strategy for our global small cars,” said Derrick Kuzak,
Ford group vice president, Global Product Development.

The Fiesta ST Concept continues that tradition by showing how a
global performance version of Ford’s best-selling B-car can be both
technologically advanced and dramatically styled.

“With a racing silhouette inspired by global Fiesta race and rally
cars currently competing on the world stage, and influenced by the
unique appearance of the all-new Focus ST, the new Fiesta ST Concept
is an exciting demonstration of the road-going Fiesta’s potential,”
Kuzak added.

Rally car-inspired, EcoBoost-powered

With the Fiesta RS World
Rally car and Fiesta Rallycross cars currently demonstrating the
potential of Ford’s global small car in the toughest of
international motorsports events, there could be no better time for
Ford to offer customers a glimpse of what is technically possible
with the road-going Fiesta.

The use of a 1.6-liter turbocharged unit in the Fiesta ST Concept
and Ford’s EcoBoost downsizing strategy in general reflects not only
the current WRC engine guidelines but also the trend within
international motorsports to deliver greater fuel economy through
technological advancement.

As with all engines in the EcoBoost family, the Fiesta ST Concept’s
advanced engine combines turbocharging and direct injection to
deliver the powerful performance of a larger-capacity, traditional
gasoline engine.

Like the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine that will power the production
Ford Focus ST, the 1.6-liter EcoBoost in the Fiesta ST Concept also
features twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT) and has
been specially developed to provide power and torque worthy of the
ST badge.

In the Fiesta ST Concept, the 1.6-liter Ford EcoBoost engine
achieves a target output of 180 horsepower with 177 lb.-ft. of
torque.

Improving fuel economy and emissions remains one of the driving
factors behind Ford’s continuing development of the EcoBoost engine
family, with the Fiesta ST Concept proving that responsible and
attractive fuel economy need not come at the expense of performance.

Bold design

The Fiesta ST’s bold and
assertive styling makes an immediate impression and drives home the
high-performance message with a number of striking features and
design themes. The large, distinctive trapezoidal grille echoes a
key feature of its larger sibling, the new Focus ST, and
incorporates a honeycomb mesh design.

At the rear a dramatic diffuser design leaves no doubt as to the
sporting credentials of the Fiesta ST Concept. The diffuser also
envelops a twin-exit exhaust.

A lowered stance, widened wheel arches filled with 17-inch alloy
wheels and full ST body kit mirror the styling of the Ford Fiesta
WRC competition car – an alluring form that also delivers racing
functionality.

Motorsports-influenced performance
and handling

Taking inspiration from
Ford’s competition Fiestas in the World Rally Championship, Global
Rallycross Championship, European Rallycross Championship and X
Games, the Ford Global Performance Vehicles group has developed the
Fiesta ST Concept to deliver uncompromised sports performance and
handling.

Tuned suspension geometry ensures dynamic and competent handling
that can flatter less-experienced drivers while rewarding those
seeking to push the limits of the Fiesta ST’s sports performance.

“With the Focus ST we promised to deliver uncompromised sports
performance and styling to a truly global audience for the first
time, without sacrificing Ford’s key values of Quality, Green, Safe
and Smart,” said Jost Capito, Ford director of Global Performance
Vehicles. “With the Fiesta ST Concept, we are demonstrating that our
global performance plan has legs.

“The Fiesta ST Concept shows in the most dramatic way possible that
the qualities that define an ST are not limited to one model,” he
added. “The potential for delivering the ST experience to an even
wider audience is laid bare by this exciting new concept.”

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a
global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich.,
manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With
about 166,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company’s
automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides
financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more
information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.